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    Transparency framework

    Edition 1 · 24 Oct 2026 · 63 questions

    With contributions from Geert De Vuyst.

    Cite this framework

    APA 7

    De Vuyst, G. (2026). Transparency framework. https://geertdevuyst.fr/en/transparency-framework/?edition=1

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    The transparency framework helps producers and brands to document their work; it helps consumers and professionals to make informed purchasing decisions. In doing so, it contributes to a shared commitment to a sustainable aromatherapy.

    PI SDG 12.8 Product information transparency

    4 questions

    • PI-1 Where is product information available?

      One or more

      • Product label (on the product or its packaging)
      • Product web page
      • Documentation

    • PI-2 Technical product specifications publicly available

      Technical product specifications describe a product's characteristics and, where relevant, its composition and technical parameters. They are distinct from product labels, marketing descriptions and batch-specific analysis reports.

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • PI-3 Geographic origin precision

      One answer

      • Country
      • Region

    • PI-4 Analytical documentation availability

      Availability of analytical documentation, such as certificates of analysis or laboratory reports, for applicable products. Indicate whether it can be downloaded, requested or is unavailable.

      One answer

      • Downloadable
      • On request
      • Not available

    PL Product labeling

    7 questions

    • PL-1 Compliance with applicable product labelling regulations

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • PL-2 Botanical identity stated

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • PL-3 Chemotype stated where relevant

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • PL-4 Plant part and optional development stage stated

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • PL-5 Extraction method stated

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • PL-6 Country of origin stated

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • PL-7 Lot number stated

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    QP Quality policy

    2 questions

    • QP-1 Quality management system in place

      One answer

      • Certified
      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented

    • QP-2 Quality control performed by

      One answer

      • Third-party lab
      • In-house lab
      • Supplier certificate only
      • Not documented

    AD Analytical documentation

    8 questions

    • AD-1 Chromatographic profile

      Indicate whether chromatographic profiles are provided for applicable products in your range, not necessarily for every product.

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • AD-2 Relative density

      Indicate whether relative density results are documented for applicable products in your range.

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • AD-3 Refractive index

      Indicate whether refractive index results are documented for applicable products in your range.

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • AD-4 Optical rotation

      Indicate whether optical rotation results are documented for applicable products in your range.

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • AD-5 Fatty acid composition

      Indicate whether fatty acid composition is documented for applicable products, especially vegetable and other lipid-rich oils.

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • AD-6 Acid value and peroxide value

      Indicate whether acid and peroxide values are documented for applicable products, especially vegetable and other lipid-rich oils.

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • AD-7 Microbiological analysis

      Indicate whether microbiological test results are documented for applicable products, especially hydrolats and other water-containing preparations.

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • AD-8 Marker compound analysis

      Indicate whether measured marker compounds are documented for applicable extracts, such as CO₂ extracts, absolutes and other botanical extracts.

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    SP Sourcing policy

    8 questions

    • SP-1 Sourcing model

      One or more

      • Own production
      • Direct from producers
      • Cooperatives
      • Brokers or traders
      • Not disclosed

    • SP-2 Share of range produced in-house

      Count extracts actually produced by the business, excluding products merely bottled, relabelled or marketed under its own brand. Count distinct botanical extract products offered, not bottle sizes, sales or volume. Majority: over 50%; minority: over 0% to 50%; none: 0%.

      One answer

      • Majority
      • Minority
      • None
      • Not disclosed

    • SP-3 Share of range purchased directly from producers

      Count extracts purchased directly from the business that produced them, without an independent trading intermediary. Exclude products produced in-house. Count distinct botanical extract products offered, not bottle sizes, sales or volume. Majority: over 50%; minority: over 0% to 50%; none: 0%.

      One answer

      • Majority
      • Minority
      • None
      • Not disclosed

    • SP-4 Producers named

      Indicate whether the business that actually distilled or extracted each applicable product is named. Naming only the brand owner, importer or reseller does not count.

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • SP-5 Sourcing regions disclosed

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • SP-6 Typical number of intermediaries

      One answer

      • 0
      • 1
      • 2 or more
      • Not disclosed

    • SP-7 Traceability level offered

      One answer

      • Farm or distiller
      • Cooperative
      • Region
      • Country
      • None

    • SP-8 Origin or chain-of-custody documentation available

      One answer

      • Downloadable
      • On request
      • Not available

    BA Botanical authenticity and adulteration: Purchased extracts

    4 questions

    • BA-1 Supplier authenticity documentation checked

      Checks supplier records of botanical identity, plant part, extraction method and relevant origin against purchasing requirements.

      One answer + link

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never
      • Not applicable

    • BA-2 Analytical results reviewed against product specifications

      Reviews analytical results for purchased extracts against specifications and investigates unexplained compositional differences.

      One answer + link

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never
      • Not applicable

    • BA-3 Targeted adulteration testing of purchased extracts

      Uses additional tests suited to identified adulteration risks, beyond routine analysis where necessary.

      One answer + link

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never
      • Not applicable

    • BA-4 Procedures for handling suspected adulteration

      Documents how suspect purchased lots are held, investigated and accepted or rejected.

      One answer + link

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never
      • Not applicable

    BP Botanical authenticity and adulteration: Production

    4 questions

    • BP-1 Botanical identity verified before processing

      Checks the species and relevant plant part of botanical material before extraction or processing.

      One answer + link

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never
      • Not applicable

    • BP-2 Segregation of botanical materials and production lots

      Documents controls to prevent unintended mixing or substitution of species, materials and lots.

      One answer + link

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never
      • Not applicable

    • BP-3 Extraction and processing records maintained

      Records extraction methods, processing steps and any substances added for each production lot.

      One answer + link

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never
      • Not applicable

    • BP-4 Finished extract authenticity verification

      Checks finished extracts against suitable botanical and chemical specifications using documented evidence.

      One answer + link

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never
      • Not applicable

    GH SDG 3 Good health and well-being

    2 questions

    • GH-1 3.9 Pesticide residue analysis

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    • GH-2 3.9 Residual solvent analysis

      One answer

      • Always
      • Partially
      • Never

    CW SDG 6 Clean water and sanitation

    2 questions

    • CW-1 6.4 Recording of water consumption in production or processing

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • CW-2 6.3 Documented handling and disposal procedures for chemicals used

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    DW SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth

    6 questions

    • DW-1 8.3 Support for local producers and small enterprises through documented purchasing or support arrangements

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • DW-2 8.5 Documented remuneration terms for workers and supplying producers

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • DW-3 8.5 Documented equal-opportunity and non-discrimination measures

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • DW-4 8.7 Documented measures to prevent child labour and forced labour

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • DW-5 8.8 Documented measures to protect workers’ rights

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • DW-6 8.8 Documented occupational health and safety measures

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    II SDG 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure

    3 questions

    • II-1 9.4 Recording of botanical raw-material inputs and resulting product quantities

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • II-2 9.4 Documented measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • II-3 9.4 Documented use of renewable energy in operations

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    RC SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production

    4 questions

    • RC-1 12.3 Recording and reduction of post-harvest botanical material losses

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • RC-2 12.5 Documented measures to prevent, reuse or recycle production waste

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • RC-3 12.5 Documented measures to reduce or recycle packaging waste

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • RC-4 12.6 Publication of sustainability information or a sustainability report

      Indicate whether the brand publishes information about its approach to sustainability, including environmental and social aspects, in a report, on its website or in other publicly accessible documents. Provide a link to this information if it is available online.

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented

    CA SDG 13 Climate action

    3 questions

    • CA-1 13.1 Documented assessment of climate risks and adaptation measures

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • CA-2 13.2 Recording of greenhouse gas emissions for defined operations

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented

    • CA-3 13.3 Documented climate-related training or awareness activities for staff or suppliers

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    LO SDG 15 Life on land

    6 questions

    • LO-1 15.1 Documented harvesting limits or regeneration measures for wild-collected plants

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • LO-2 15.2 Documented checks to prevent sourcing linked to deforestation

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • LO-3 15.3 Documented soil conservation or restoration measures at cultivation sites

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • LO-4 15.5 Documented measures to protect biodiversity and natural habitats

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • LO-5 15.5 Documented checks and safeguards for threatened plant species in sourcing

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    • LO-6 15.6 Documented access and benefit-sharing arrangements where genetic resources are used

      One answer + link

      • Documented
      • Self-declared
      • Not documented
      • Not applicable

    The transparency framework is published under the [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International licence (CC BY-NC 4.0)](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ (opens in a new tab)). Reproduction, distribution and adaptation for non-commercial purposes are permitted, provided that the source, the licence and any modifications are acknowledged. Adapted versions are not official editions of the framework.

    Copyright (c) 2016-2026 Geert De Vuyst. All rights reserved.